Good hearts beat beneath shoulder pads and facemasks

Jonathon Gruenke / GazetteBenevolence on ice: Members of the Major-Midget AAA travel team based at Kalamazoo’s S2 Arena lift gifts they purchased for a family devastated by a house fire.
KALAMAZOO — They travel the country, eager to rattle teeth, smash heads and get down-right ornery with anyone who gets in their way.

But, believe me, they’re not bad guys.

Put them on the ice, and the Major-Midget AAA hockey team based at Kalamazoo’s S2 Arena will knock your lights out. But these 18-and-under teammates — mostly local, but with a roster that includes players from Indianapolis, Seattle and Portland, Ore. — prove that even rugged hockey players have a soft side.

After assistant coach Rex Trott told the team that his wife’s cousin, her husband and their four children had lost their Hamtramck home to fire Dec. 14, the team came together to buy enough gifts to buoy the spirits of the kids — ages 8 months to 6 years.

“It was amazing how they stepped up, and they did this on their own,” said Trott, moments before the maroon-and-blue hit the ice for a Wednesday-evening practice. “We had talked earlier about doing something for someone in the community for the holidays, and then they heard about the fire and decided to help.”

The day after finding out about the fire, the players were out buying baby socks and rattles, Hot Wheels cars, Barbie dolls, a Spider Man hat and glove set and other kid stuff. They also collected donated clothes; there were enough gifts to overflow a penalty box.

It took the team only a couple of days to gather the gifts, and they got together Tuesday to wrap them — in the jam-packed locker room.

If you think a scrum in the corner is chaotic, it would seem like the Nutcracker on Ice compared to the paper-and-ribbon-flying wrapping session. The kids have big hearts, but let’s just say wrapping gifts didn’t come as naturally as a slapshot or a 3-on-2.

“There was paper everywhere, but it was like one big Christmas party,” Trott said. “Somehow, everything got wrapped and the packages actually look pretty good.”

Trott planned to give the gifts to the family Saturday at a holiday gathering at a rented cabin in Howell. He anticipated that the surprise collection of Christmas presents would bring “tears of joy.”

Emotions were not restricted to the recipients of this act of good will. The gift-givers learned a lesson in benevolence.

“I never knew how good it could feel to help someone out who needs it so much,” said Michael Lawrence, 16, of Mattawan, an S2 team member and son of head coach Mark Lawrence. I mean, we’re talking about four little kids with no home at Christmas. I can’t even imagine what they’re going through.”

We in Kalamazoo have seen many instances of community members giving to those in need. But to some visitors, it comes as a surprise.

“Ever since I’ve been here, I’ve noticed how friendly it is; everyone says ‘hi,’ everyone smiles at you,” said Eli Bowman, 17, a player from Seattle. “Buying presents for the kids is another thing that shows me what kind of place this is.

“Maybe it’s because I’m from a big city, but I’m not used to people caring so much.”

It is the season of caring, of fantasy and lights, chilly bones and warm hearts. As Christmas nears, the hockey players’ feel-good shopping spree is yet another example of this town’s giving spirit.